Failure Analysis Technician

Role Summary

Reliability is at the core of Electric Adventure Vehicles. This position sits in Rivian's Tustin, CA Failure Analysis Lab and is dedicated to non-destructive evaluation across Rivian's full product line. As a Technician in the Failure Analysis and Materials Engineering team, you will aid our technical leads in root causing critical issues, help qualify new materials. In addition, you will work alongside with other subject matter experts in varieties of materials technologies and analytical techniques that share the same desire for adventure.

• Own the lab's computed tomography and optical metrology capability, producing the high-fidelity imaging and dimensional data that drives root cause determination.
• Support programs spanning new product development, production line escapes, warranty, and field failures.
• Work as an integral member of the FA team in Tustin, in close partnership with the FA engineers at our Normal, IL production facility.
• Serve cross-functional customers across Energy Storage, Chassis, Body, Thermal, Closures, and Electrical Engineering - from battery cells and power electronics to castings, closures, and structural assemblies.
• Operate in a hands-on, high-throughput environment where the quality and speed of your imaging and analysis directly determine how quickly Rivian identifies and corrects hardware failures.

Responsibilities

We are looking for expert-level, hands-on depth in the following areas:

• Plan and operate a variety of laboratory equipment (specific instrument training will be provided) to generate data, perform materials characterization testing, or preparation of samples, with a specific focus on polymeric systems.
• Assist on the upkeep of laboratory equipment to ensure maximum uptime and operability of the equipment.
• Cut sample sections from a variety of components, including large structural frames to small electronic components using various machinery such as Bandsaw, Dremel, Clippers, etc.
• Collaborate with engineers on sample preparation, sample potting, polishing, and etching cross sections
• Produce clear and concise reports to summarize data collected and be able to clearly present this to the failure analysis engineers and scientists.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including the handling and safe working practices associated with hazardous chemicals. Must be very safety conscious and uphold lab safety guidelines.
• Experience working with basic machine shop tools such as band saw, drill press, belt sander, etc.
• Experience in polymeric and metallurgical sample preparation - cross sectioning, grinding, polishing.
• Hands-on experience with optical microscopy, mechanical testing of polymers on a universal testing frame (Instron, MTS, ZwickRoell, or similar), including fixturing and specimen preparation.
• Working experience with: DSC, TGA, FTIR
• A desire to create a respectful, fun, inclusive and inspiring team and company culture is a must!
  
  Highly Desirable
  • Knowledge of and hands on experience with the following:
    • DMA
    • Etching (including handling hazardous chemicals and mixing etchant recipes).
    • Dye Penetrant/UV Magnetic Particle Testing
    • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
  • Experience in the automotive industry is a big plus.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $77,800 - $97,300 for California based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). There is no fixed deadline for this application; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the role is filled or the opening is no longer needed.

Interview Integrity & AI Policy

Our interview process is designed to evaluate your personal technical foundation, real-time problem-solving logic, and structured capabilities. Therefore, the use of assistive generative AI tools to formulate or deliver your solutions during live interview sessions is not permitted. We care most about how you think - how you make sense of unclear requirements, weigh trade-offs, and explain why you chose one approach over another. We value your unique human perspective, your authenticity, and the journey it takes to reach a solution.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.